It has the air of what the French Quarter was a generation or two ago before there was so much tourist development. It has a few small hotels and many bed-and-breakfasts, as well as a number of good restaurants, coffee shops, and music venues. Part of the city's old high ground, it fortunately escaped the worst of the post-Katrina disaster.

Marigny is down river from the French Quarter, to the north-east by compass. Due to its odd shape (following a bend in the Mississippi River), locals often divide the Marigny into the "Marigny triangle" and the "Marigny rectangle." The triangle runs from Esplanade Avenue (abutting the French Quarter) to Elysian Fields Avenue. The rectangle begins at Elysian Fields and runs to the railroad tracks on Press Street, where the Marigny abuts the Bywater district (the "Ninth Ward").

Architecturally, the Marigny is known for its many styles of Creole cottages, most of which date to the 19th century. Its "heart" is Washington Square Park (bounded by Frenchmen Street, Royal Street, Dauphine Street, and Elysian Fields Avenue). Frenchmen Street is the main nightlife district, with half a dozen live music clubs and just as many restaurants in four short blocks.

At Mardi Gras, the Marigny is one of the city's hidden hot spots, popular with locals who enjoy partying in the streets without the drunken frat-boy atmosphere of Bourbon Street. Crowds gather at the corner of Royal and Kerlerec (outside the R-Bar), as well as at the intersection of Royal and Franklin. Elaborate costumes are the order of the day, along with brass bands and many drummers. Two weeks before Mardi Gras, the Marigny is also the starting place for the Krewe du Vieux, a satirical, raunchy parade in 19th-century Carnival style, complete with small floats drawn by krewe members and mules.

Local cafes, restaurants and music venues line Frenchmen Street

Known for its bohemian atmosphere and low rents (though the latter is changing), the Marigny is home to many artists and musicians, as well as a sizable gay and lesbian population. Among its notable residents are chef Paul Prudhomme, painter James Michalopoulas, and actors Harry Shearer and Jennifer Coolidge, who can be seen around town when they're not working in L.A. Local writers include New Orleans mystery writers Julie Smith and J.M. Redmann, as well as Andrei Codrescu, Michael Swindle, and Kevin Allman.

Cafe Istanbul 2372 St Claude Ave (at St. Roch) [50]. Named after a legendary Frenchmen Street venue of a generation ago, the new Cafe Istanbul is theater space with a bar in the New Orleans Healing Center, a renovated old warehouse building now a community center. Live theater, music, dance, film, and other performances. Tel. 975-0286

Frenchmen Street is in the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood just below the lower edge of the Quarter. A 4 block stretch of bars, restaurants, and coffee shops mixed with live music venues make it one of the city's most hip places, catering more to locals than tourists (though tourists are certainly welcome, and welcomed).

On any given night, one might find modern jazz, swinging traditional jazz, Latin American style music, rockabilly, and more within this small area. Except for Buffa's, all the below venues are all either on this stretch of Frenchmen Street or just around the corner from it on Esplanade Avenue.

The best way to enjoy Frenchmen (particularly on weekends) is to walk the street with a drink in hand, listening to the music in each club. Many don't have cover charges, but most require at least a one-drink minimum to enter and listen to music. Whenever the music is enjoyable, don't forget to put some cash in the band's tip jar.

Buffa's Lounge, 1001 Esplanade (at Burgundy St), ☎+1 504 949-0038, [2]. Small bar room in the front; the big room in the back (also accessible from the side door on Burgundy Street) hosts live music and other events, including a popular jazz brunch on Sundays.edit

DBA, 618 Frenchmen St (between Chartres and Royal Sts), ☎+1 504 942-3731, [3]. Has a very large beer selection.(29.963926,-90.057856)edit

Dragon's Den, 435 Esplanade Ave (between N Peters and Frenchmen Sts, above Mojitos), ☎+1 504 949-1750. A charmingly dilapidated, well-hidden club (go down the building's side alley, then up the stairs to your left), with a balcony on Esplanade and an opium-den feel inside. Live music, occasional poetry slams.(29.961828,-90.057421)edit

Island of Salvation Botanica, 2372 St Claude Ave. Suite 100 (At the corner of St. Roch Street.), ☎(504) 948-9961 ([email protected]), [9]. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM. A real voodoo supply store. Moved from their old ramshackle building in the Bywater into the new "Healing Center" building in 2011.edit

Mardi Gras Zone, 2706 Royal (corner of Port Street at the lower end of Marigny). Always open. A Mardi Gras supply warehouse saw a neighborhood need so turned much of their floor space into an eclectic grocery store, and more recently opened a deli and pizza kitchen. Prices a bit higher than some other budget places and execution is inconsistent, but impressive selection open 24/7; delivers in Marigny/Bywater. And you can still buy Mardi Gras beads and supplies upstairs.edit

Sound Cafe, 2700 Chartres St (at Port St), ☎+1 504 947-4477. 7AM-8PM daily. 160 year old building. Very reasonably priced. Excellent coffee, also home made sandwiches etc. Local art, and a book shop within the cafe. Very local meeting place of many post-Katrina survivor groups.(29.963612,-90.050705)edit

Feelings Cafe, 2600 Chartres St (at Franklin Ave), ☎+1 504 945-2222, [16]. The way the French Quarter used to be 50 years ago. Great piano bar, balcony overlooking nice courtyard. Definitely a locals place and great value, but not for the homophobic.(29.963845,-90.051687)edit

d.b.a., 618 Frenchmen St, [23]. New York style bar on Frenchmen, if you need a bit of sophistication when you drink. Great selection of beers.edit

Dragon's Den, 435 Esplanade Ave. Very hip but dark bar above Siam Thai restaurant on Esplanade across from the old Mint; Often has a band; serves food and has excellent atmosphere-get comfy on floor pillows and great balcony overlooking Esplanade.edit

The John, 2040 Burgundy St (at Frenchmen St). Relaxed neighborhood hangout with rockabilly, country, and punk on the jukebox. Named for the gold-painted toilet seats that serve as stools at the tables. With inexpensive stiff drinks served up in Mason jars, this spot for locals offers one of the best deals on Frenchmen St.edit

Lost Love Lounge, 2529 Dauphine St (at Franklin), ☎+1 504 949-2009, [24]. A hip, upscale, dive bar. Features a small library, evening entertainment including comedy and karaoke, surprisingly good Vietnamese food, and great drink specials every day. As the saying goes "its always happy hour at the Lost Love Lounge".edit

Mimi's in the Marigny, 2601 Royal St (at Franklin Ave). The toniest bar in the Marigny (but hardly pretentious), with billiards, occasional live music, and tapas served from the restaurant upstairs. Good selection of beers and specialty drinks. Hip Hop and Funk DJs Friday and Saturday nights. Lots of singles on the weekends.edit

Phoenix, 941 Elysian Fields Ave (at N Rampart St), [25]. 24 hours. Gay neighborhood bar by day, catering to the leather crowd at night. Also the official United Cab stand for catching rides back into the French Quarter.edit

R-Bar, 1431 Royal St (at Kerlerec St), [26]. Hip but laid-back hangout that's comfortable by day and happening at night; great jukebox.edit

Milkfish, Burgundy @ Mandeville. 3-10 pm. Filipino cuisine, a pop-up hosted 6 nights a week (closed Tuesdays) at Who Dat Coffee Cafe. All cooked from scratch, to order, delicious and beautifully executed. Features a program of Filipino-inspired cocktails as well. Definitely not to be missed.edit

The Claiborne Mansion, 2111 Dauphine St, ☎+1 504 949-7327, [33]. An outstanding 19th century mansion, an impressive guest list, and a wonderful hostess, Cleo. In and of itself worth a visit to New Orleans.edit

Creole Inn, 2471 Dauphine St, ☎+1 504 312-2949, [34]. A cozy and affordable B&B in the trendy Faubourg Marigny, just a short walk to the French Quarter.edit

Marigny Manor House, 2125 N Rampart St (between Frenchmen St and Elysian Fields Ave), ☎+1 504-943-7826, [41]. checkin: 4PM; checkout: noon. Step back in time and enjoy Southern Hospitality at it's best in this 1840's Grand Greek Revival Home just 5 blocks from the French Quarter and Riverside streetcar.edit

Old Town Inn, 1001 Marigny St, ☎+1 504 949-5815, [42]. Cool historic inn, three separate buildings, dating from the 1800's. Located across the street from the Phoenix and Cowpokes and three blocks from Washington Square. Good community feel in a very localized neighborhood open to all. One bright yellow building you shouldn't miss.edit

Pierre Coulon Guest House, 714 Spain St, ☎+1 504 943-6692 (toll free: +1 866 328-1497), [43]. Comfortable small apartment very convenient to the Marigny bars and restaurants and an easy walk to the French Quarter. A great location from which to explore the many different attractions of New Orleans!edit

River House, 625 Marigny St, ☎+1 866-945-8142, [44]. checkin: 2PM. A lovingly-restored antebellum mansion with three unique apartments, each like no other in the city of New Orleans. Located two blocks from the river, three blocks from the French Quarter.edit

Royal Street Inn B&B, 1431 Royal St (at Kerlerec St), ☎+1 504 449-5535, [46]. "B&B" here may stand for "Bed and Beverage", as this is upstairs from the R-Bar.edit

Suite Jazz, 526 Frenchmen St, [47]. Circa 1861, the building has typical high ceilings, chandeliers, hardwood floors, Cable TV, WIFI Internet Access, Central Air, a fully stocked kitchen and more! A queen sleigh bed, travertine tiled shower & original artwork by fabulous artists. This apartment is conveniently located above a bicycle shop, Bicycle Michael's. Minimum stay 2 nights, starting at $125/night. Located at the heart of the Frenchmen Street music & dining, between Snug Harbor and dba, facing The Spotted Cat, a few doors from Adolpho's, Marigny Brasserie, Cafe Rose Nicaud, Negril and the Praline Connection. Windows have added sound protection. Sylvia is one of New Orleans' best ambassadors and a great concierge/hostess/tour guide.edit

Sunburst Inn, 819 Mandeville St, ☎+1 504 947-1799, [48]. Historic Victorian house with one and two bedroom suites with private bath. A short walk to French Quarter. Suites has lots of nice ammenties, located in quite charming neighborhood.edit

The Blue 60 Guest House (Elysian Guest House), 1008 Elysian Fields Ave (Between St Claude and Rampart), ☎504-324-4311, [49]. checkin: 3pm; checkout: 12pm. 5 guest rooms, each completely self contained with a bathroom, shower, small kitchenette, and a private door to the outside. Some of the suites have a door between them that allows for larger groups to connect rooms, and there is a patio in the back hot tub, BBQ and plenty of shade. The house is in the Marigny Triangle, less than a 5 block walk to the French Quarter and only 3 blocks to the restaurants and nightlife on Frenchman Street.140. (29.963923,-90.057161)edit

Like with many urban neighborhoods, there have been problems with crime in Marigny and in the nearby Bywater neighborhood. The Frenchmen Street corridor with most music venues and restaurants is generally safe. Cabs are plentiful and are always a good idea if you're traveling to areas with less "foot traffic."

The lower part of the French Quarter is adjacent to the Faubourg Marigny just upriver. The Bywater serves as the Marigny's downriver neighbor, with a similar vibe but even less visited by out-of-towners. The 7th and 8th Ward neighborhoods begin just back across St. Claude -- while much of this section is still struggling 6 years after the Katrina disaster, it also has some attractive venues and sights just a short distance from Marigny. Drive, bike, or take the bus back on beautiful Esplanade Avenue toward City Park (located in Mid-City New Orleans) where you can visit NOMA museum and the free admission, not-to-be missed, Sculpture Garden; alternatively you can also get there by catching the Riverfront Streetcar just beyond the floodwall at the foot of Esplanade Avenue- this will take you lengthwise through the French Quarter along the Mississippi, then back along Canal Street.

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!